When Ben Brereton burst onto the scene at Nottingham Forest he looked like being a future star for the Championship side. The talented teenager had an excellent 2016-17 with Forest. However, after the arrival of Aitor Karanka, things started to go downhill.
It led to plenty of reports of Premier League interest. As reported by The Sun, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was reportedly looking into the signing of Brereton back in the winter of 2017. Quite the endorsement.
So, despite Karanka’s apparent indifference, it was still a shock when he was allowed to leave this summer. After the arrivals of Lewis Grabban and Hilal El-Arbi Soudani, Nottingham Forest allowed him a move to Blackburn Rovers.
As reported by Sky Sports, he joined the Ewood Park club on loan in August on a deal until January. It will then cost £6 million for the deal to become permanent.
A shock it may have been, but Brereton has so far failed to prove Karanka wrong.
The 19-year-old has played 14 times for the club so far this season and has again shown his propensity to be somewhat lacking in front of goal. He may have three assists but in 14 games he is without a goal.
With the year coming to an end, Brereton has scored just two goals from open play this calendar year.
Getting £6 million for him in January could prove a great piece of business.